Turning provinces and centrally-run cities into solid defensive areas is a strategic policy of our Party and State, which requires each locality and the whole country to drastically and synchronously implement various initiatives and measures. Of paramount importance are the enhancement of leadership by party committees at all levels, the elevation of the quality of fortifying national capabilities, and the maximisation of the role of the armed forces. These pivotal measures have been executed under the focused leadership and direction of Ha Nam province to meet the requirements of building and safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation.
Located at the southern gateway of Hanoi capital, serving as a vital transportation hub connecting Ha Noi with the Red River Delta provinces and the Northwest region, Ha Nam holds a strategically significant position in various aspects, particularly in terms of economics, national defence, and security. In recent years, alongside actively harnessing its potential and advantages and vigorously attracting investment to make substantial breakthroughs in economic, cultural, and social development, the province has attached importance to the effective implementation of its national defence and security tasks. Notably, the construction of the provincial defensive area has yielded positive results in terms of capabilities and defensive posture, establishing a critical foundation for maintaining political security, social order, and safety, thus ensuring Ha Nam’s rapid and sustainable development.
In addition to the achievements, there have been numerous intertwined difficulties and challenges confronting the province in the construction of its defensive area. Several officials, party members, business owners, and citizens still possess an incomplete awareness of the two strategic tasks, namely building and safeguarding the Fatherland and participating in local military and national defence work. The connection between socio-economic development with national defence and security and environmental protection has yet to fully meet practical requirements. Moreover, vestiges of an absolutist economic mindset, pursuing economic development at any cost, persist. The security situation in rural areas and religious security still harbours destabilising factors and potential threats.
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| Commander of the Provincial Miliatry Command grants Certificate of Completion for learners of defence and security course |
With a profound understanding of the Party’s strategic policy and the favourable as well as challenging factors, the Provincial Party Committee, the People’s Council, and the People’s Committee of Ha Nam have attached importance to the implementation of numerous drastic and synchronous policies and measures to construct a solid defensive area tailored to the local conditions and geographical characteristics, fostering an environment conducive to socio-economic development, and establishing Ha Nam as a stronghold guarding the southern gateway to the capital city.
First, the province strengthens the leadership and direction of party committees and authorities at all levels in the construction and operation of the defensive area. Party committees, authorities at all levels, departments, offices, sectors, organisations, and the local armed forces continue to thoroughly grasp and promulgate the Party’s directives, resolutions, and conclusions, as well as the State’s legal documents regarding the construction of defensive areas, particularly Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo (10th tenure), Conclusion No. 64-KL/TW issued on October 30, 2019, by the Politburo (12th tenure) concerning the enhanced implementation of Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW regarding the continued development of centrally-run provinces and cities into solid defensive areas in the new situation, Decree No. 21/2019/NĐ-CP issued by the Government on the construction of defensive areas, the Civil Defence Law, etc. This aims to establish a unified understanding and responsibility across the entire political system and the people regarding the construction of defensive areas. In carrying out its assigned functions, the Provincial Military Command is tasked with leading and coordinating advisory efforts to assist the province in formulating and issuing resolutions, directives, plans, and projects to lead, direct, and implement the construction of the defensive area. The focal point lies in supplementing and perfecting the mechanisms and regulations governing the construction and operation of defensive areas at all levels; drafting and issuing documents to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of state management over national defence; guiding the planning, management, and use of defence land and military facilities; formulating plans and organising exercises for defensive areas at all levels, and improving the operational effectiveness of the mechanism named “The Party leads, the government operates, agencies, departments, branches, and organisations act as advisory bodies, and the armed forces serve as the backbone”. Proactively advising to consolidate and refine the organisational structures of defensive areas at all levels, such as the Defensive Area Construction Steering Committee, Defensive Area Supply Council, People’s Air Defence Steering Council, etc. Additionally, the maintenance and enhancement of the quality of activities of these councils and committees are upheld, fostering a significant transition in the leadership, guidance, and management from the provincial level to the grassroots level for the execution of this crucial task.
In tandem with these efforts, the province is actively building regional national defence capabilities, beginning with political and moral strength. The Provincial Military Command, in coordination with various departments and agencies, continues to advise and cooperate on the dissemination and education of the Party’s viewpoints and guidelines as well as the State’s policies and laws related to the construction of the all-people national defence, the all-people national defence posture linked to the people’s security posture, thus building a solid defensive area. To leverage the role of a “working army”, the provincial armed forces actively engage in mass mobilisation work, contributing to the development of a strong grassroots political system. In particular, the provincial armed forces advise the province to further enhance the quality of education and training in national defence and security for different subjects, especially key personnel at all levels, religious dignitaries, business owners, etc. to bring about a profound transformation in the awareness and responsibility of party members, officials, the armed forces, and the whole people towards the task of national construction and defence. It also involves a clear understanding of the plots and tactics employed by hostile forces in their attempts to subvert our country’s revolution. Simultaneously, the province diligently implements policies for Military’s families, participates in new-style rural area development, conducts gratitude activities, etc., which contribute to the establishment of a solid “people’s hearts and minds” posture.
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| A self-defence squad of But Son Cement Plant conduct practice with anti-aircraft gun |
Thoroughly grasping the policy that economic development is the centre and Party building is the core, and ensuring national defence and security is an important and regular task, the province places a strong and continuous emphasis on socio-economic development, ensuring that a stride in socio-economic development is a step in strengthening national defence and security capabilities. The province remains committed to intensifying investment promotion activities, especially in attracting investments aimed at developing a modern and synchronised technical infrastructure system. It actively harnesses the potential, advantages, and achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the national digital transformation to serve the objectives of economic development and the reinforcement of national defence and security. In the immediate term, the province is accelerating the economic structural transformation towards the robust development of the construction and industrial sectors, identifying this as the pivotal area to drive economic growth. Concurrently, it is promoting the increase in the share of supporting, processing, and manufacturing industries and continues to plan, construct, and enhance the infrastructure of industrial zones and clusters. It aims to bolster the development of civilian infrastructure and dual-purpose transportation networks, which serve socio-economic development and reinforce the regional defence posture to meet any contingencies. Based on the master planning for national defence arrangement combined with socio-economic development, military posture planning in the provincial and district-level defensive areas, the planning for the use of defence land, and approved construction of works in defensive areas, the Provincial Military Command will meticulously review and assess these plans, budgets, programmes, and projects related to socio-economic development within its jurisdiction. Special attention will be given to projects in sensitive areas concerning national defence and security. Simultaneously, the Provincial Military Command will provide advisory support to the party committees and authorities at all levels to mobilise resources and prioritise resource allocation to invest in building military posture in defensive areas. From practical experience, the province emphasises investment with focus and priorities, striving to complete key projects within combat bases, rear bases, pivotal defensive areas, and other locations in accordance with the plan.
The establishment of a robust local armed forces is the cornerstone of constructing the defensive area. This is a highly significant aspect, both in the short term and the long term, for the development of the all-people national defence in general and the construction of the defensive area, in particular. The Provincial Military Command continues to advise local party committees and authorities to prioritise the development of robust armed forces, not only in terms of political, ideological, moral, and organisational aspects but also in terms of overall quality and high combat readiness. The focus is on thoroughly grasping and implementing the resolutions of the Politburo and the Central Military Commission and the plans of the Ministry of National Defence. This includes Resolution No. 266-NQ/ĐU issued on May 12, 2022, by the Party Committee of Military Region 3 on leading the implementation of the reorganisation of Vietnam People’s Army in the 2021-2030 period and beyond within the armed forces of Military Regions. The concentration is on building an elite, compact, and strong provincial armed forces with proper organisation, compatible structures, and a rational balance between different components and units, thus meeting the requirements of local defence and military tasks in the new context. Continuing the development of the standing forces in the direction of being revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and gradually modernised. Additionally, building a robust reserve force and a “strong and widespread” self-defence and militia force that are adequately sized and of high quality. To meet the requirements and tasks in the new context, the Provincial Military Command advises the province to focus on enhancing the quality of mobile militia and self-defence forces in industrial zones, especially in enterprises with foreign involvement. Furthermore, strengthening the registration and management of reserve forces and technical resources within the economy directly contributes to elevating the military strength and potential of the provincial defensive area, being ready to be mobilised in emergencies.
In addition to these aforementioned efforts, the Provincial Military Command consistently seeks to innovate and enhance the quality of training, exercises, sports competitions, and contests. In the foreseeable future, it aims to excel in preparations and successfully organise the 2023 Provincial Defensive Area Exercise in Ha Nam province. This exercise is designed to boost the leadership and direction capabilities of the party committees, the management and administration of authorities at all levels, the advisory capacity of the Military, the Public Security, and other relevant agencies, as well as the coordination and collaboration among various forces in handling national defence and security situations. Moreover, there will be adjustments and additions to the system of operational documents tailored to practical situations. Strict adherence to regimes and combat readiness, proficiency in the execution of combat plans, disaster response, and rescue operations will be maintained. Coordination and collaboration with the Public Security, in accordance with Decree No. 03/2019/NĐ-CP issued on September 5, 2019, by the Government, will be strengthened. Regularly conducting monitoring and forecasting of situations, especially within industrial zones and areas prone to instability, to advise the party committees and authorities in promptly addressing issues that arise at the grassroots level, maintaining political security, order, and social safety in the province. This proactive approach will prevent the province from being passive and stunned, thus providing a foundation for Ha Nam’s comprehensive and sustainable development for the goal of a relatively high level province in the Red River Delta region by 2030 and a centrally-run city of the country by 2035.
Senior Colonel LUONG VAN THANG, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Commander of the Provincial Military Command